Pakistan, Afghanistan to establish working groups, avoid blame game for peace process: FO

ISLAMABAD -  Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to establish working groups and deploy necessary cooperation mechanism under Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS).

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office on Sunday, the two countries gave a consent to seven key principles to operationalise the working groups during Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi's recent visit to Kabul, where he met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, and other senior political leaders.

"Pakistan will support the Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation [process] and the two countries will undertake effective actions against fugitives and the irreconcilable elements posing security threats to either of the two countries," said the statement.

The Foreign Office detailed that Islamabad and Kabul committed to denying use of their respective territory by any country, network, group or individuals for anti-state activities against each other.

Moreover, both Pakistan and Afghanistan will furnish a joint supervision, coordination and confirmation mechanism through Liaison Officers (LOs) for the realisation of the agreed actions.

"The two countries also committed to avoiding territorial and aerial violations of each other's territory," it read further.

Pakistan and Afghanistan also agreed to avoid public blame game and to further take benefit of APAPPS cooperation mechanisms to respond to contentious issues.

Let it be known that Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi visited Kabul on Friday where he met senior Afghan officials including President Ghani.

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to regional connectivity as they had done in Herat on 23rd February 2018 while jointly inaugurating the entry of TAPI Gas Pipeline from Turkmenistan into Afghanistan.

They agreed to hold an early meeting of the Joint Economic Commission to take forward planning and implementation of key railroad gas pipeline and energy projects that would integrate Pakistan and Afghanistan with Central Asia.

They emphasized early completion of TAPI and CASA-1000 projects. The Prime Minister also met Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah Abdullah. Both leaders discussed the entire range of bilateral matters and agreed on regular leadership contacts. Prime Minister of Pakistan announced a gift of 40 thousand tons wheat for the Afghan people. He also announced waiver of additional regulatory duty on Afghan export to Pakistan to help lift the Afghan economy. The two sides also agreed to initiate discussions on consular matters and exchange of civilian prisoners.

Both high ups also reaffirmed their resolve to build trust and confidence between the two countries by working closely for peace, prosperity and stability in their countries.